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Introduction to Coral Reefs
Coral reefs are amazing, natural wonders that live in the warm waters of the tropics, providing habitat for thousands of marine creatures.
Location of Coral Reefs
Zooxanthellae
Coral polyp
Coral colony
Corals
Coral Reef
• Corals can build three types of reefs:– Fringing: grows close to
shore
– Barrier: also grows close to shore but has a lagoon separating it from the shore
– Atoll: a ring of coral that surrounds a lagoon, often grows on a submerged mountain or volcano
• The Great Barrier Reef is the largest system in the world and can be seen from outer space.•Corals produce a hard skeleton that forms the actual structure of the reef.•Coral reefs have the second highest biodiversity after rainforests.
Interesting Coral Reef Facts
Why are coral reefs important?• Habitat: They are home to 33% of all known fish species.•Nursery: And a nursery ground for over 25% of all marine species.
Photo by J. RandallPhoto by Dee Wescott
Photo by MacGillivray Freeman Films
Why are coral reefs important?Why are coral reefs important?•Income: they provide Income: they provide millions of dollars of millions of dollars of income annually for people income annually for people living by coral reefs. living by coral reefs.
•Medical Research: coral Medical Research: coral reefs have the potential to reefs have the potential to be used as medical cures be used as medical cures to treat cancer, heart to treat cancer, heart disease, HIV and arthritis disease, HIV and arthritis among others. among others.
• Protection: they protect Protection: they protect 20% of the world’s coast 20% of the world’s coast from wave erosion.from wave erosion.
• Food: they are a food Food: they are a food source for millions of source for millions of people.people.
• Tourism: coral reefs Tourism: coral reefs attract tourists from all attract tourists from all over the world. over the world.
What is a healthy environment for coral reefs?
• Sunlight• A certain salinity• Low nutrient, clear water• Water temperature 18-29 ºC • Water circulation
Photo by MacGillivray Freeman Films
What are the man-made threats to coral reefs?
• Global warming leading to coral bleaching.
• Runoff of chemicals and nutrients from land
• Sedimentation.• Rubbish including marine
debris• Overfishing • Physical damage from
tourists and fishermen• Pollution from untreated
sewage and oil. An example of coral bleaching.
What plants live on coral reefs?
Algae - lots of different types!
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What animals live on the reef?
Turtles!
Crayfish
What animals live on coral reefs?
Hard coral
What animals live on coral reefs?
What animals live on coral reefs?
Giant clams
Parrotfish
What animals live on coral reefs?
Butterflyfish
What animals live on coral reefs?
Surgeonfish
What animals live on coral reefs?
Damselfish
What animals live on coral reefs?
Damselfish includingClownfish, like Nemo!
What animals live on coral reefs?
Cleaner shrimp
What animals live on coral reefs?
What animals live on coral reefs?
Sponges
Coral Trout
What animals live on coral reefs?
Sharks
What animals live on coral reefs?
